BLACKOUT
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE UNEVENTFUL RESCUE
Hello and welcome back to my story! I'm sorry about the irregular update intervals, and will try to fix that problem...
In the last chapter I made a spelling mistake for Diomede's name, yes it's Diomede's, not Demede's.
Hope everyone is enjoying it!
C11
The Uneventful Rescue
Salty air licked Asha's face as she shook her head, her hair lightly tousling around. She didn't get it, how the hell could she stop Diomede's from brutally taking over Thebe's. And then there was the problem of convincing her new friends to get her there.
Sighing she glanced towards them, they hadn't seen her yet and chatted idly to each other.
Asha closed her eyes and took a deep breath, wishing yet again that she had never been sent back in time, squaring her shoulders she walked over to the small ship, "Hey!" She called out.
Sophia saw her first, a grin complementing her features, "Asha! Your here early."
Kyle nodded his head, then he looked around, as if he had lost something, "Where is your horse?"
Asha stopped, emotion swirling through her, she breathed deeply, "She... was killed. By a lioness."
"Are you injured?" Argruis asked, studying her.
Asha shook her head, "I wasn't hurt. I did kill the lion. But it turned out to be the Nemean's mate, and I visited Hera's Temple. The Goddess appeared and has issued me a quest. I need your help."
"Quest?" Sophia asked, cocking her head, she walked up to Asha, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Whatever it is, we will help you." She smiled.
Asha growled, poking her in the rib's, "I almost froze to death, and I had to travel through a god-damn forest on foot because you didn't tell me there was a road!"
Sophia gave a smirk, "Sorry, It was too good of an opportunity."
Asha shook her head, "Well fine. And thank you."
"Where do you need to go for the quest?" Argruis asked, Asha looked up at the brave warrior.
"Thebe's." She answered, understanding quickly went through the warrior's eyes.
"Your going to try and stop Diomede's." He stated.
"Your what!?" Sophia cried out, grabbing Asha's shoulders, "You can't! He's... well evil! He has no virtue, nor honour. He will rape you and then kill you."
"I'm under Hera's protection." Asha answered.
"He's under Athena's!" Sophia snapped, "Neither goddess's will intervene, and he will easily overpower you!"
"I won't let him!" Asha growled, pushing Sophia back, "I have to do this!"
"She's right Asha. You won't last a minute against him." Kyle stated, "But if we help you, you might."
Sophia gave out a gasp, "Kyle! What the hell?!"
"Thebe's is my hometown, I need to protect it. And protect my family! What if it was you Sophia?" Kyle retorted, he stood tall, "I need to help Asha."
Sophia gave a sound of annoyance, "Fine. Just this one time."
"Thank you Sophia." Asha said, smiling she looked over to the ship, "So, shall we?"
Argruis nodded, walking up the board and onto the ship, the rest of the group followed him.
Asha looked around the ship, noticing how clean it was, "What's the name of the ship?"
"Qwick." Kyle answered, he smiled fondly at the steering wheel, "She was a gift from the Moon. One of the fastest ships there is. And it only takes two people to sail. Only downside is that she doesn't have any oars."
"She has a triangular sail, it's fine." Asha stated, gazing up at said sail, noticing the beautiful silver flag that flew above it, it was decorated with a silver moon, which had strange writing on it, "What does that writing say?"
"To the courage of men." Kyle answered, pulling on a string and the ship started to slice through the water, "The trip won't be long. We will be at Thebe's in a week."
"But won't the city be taken by then?" Asha asked, walking over to stand beside Kyle. Sophia and Argruis were chatting animatedly to each other.
"It's under siege at the moment. Diomede's has taken out most of the defending army, but the walls are holding strong. He's been trying to break in for a month now. One week isn't long in a siege." Kyle shrugged, "Asha. When we get there, we need to get the Royalty out of Thebe's."
"Why?" She asked.
Kyle shook his head, "Just trust me and do it. Now go and rest."
The week long trip was uneventful, they encountered several bandit's, but easily outran them. Asha trained with her new friend's in combat. With Sophia she learnt how to block a sword with her daggers, Kyle taught her how to disarm a charging enemy and Argruis taught her how to use a long sword.
"Being specialised in one weapon is dangerous." He had stated, "It's best to train in all aspects, so your never in a disadvantage."
So she trained. In between training she ran laps on the ship, sprinting up and down it as fast as she could. Every now and again Sophia would join her and race her. Asha barely beat her.
Asha also learnt how to hog-tie an enemy.
"Might be useful against Diomedes'." Sophia had said with a wink.
And now, with the week gone they could finally see their destination. Thebes stood by the sea, it's walls high and strong. With an army gathered outside it's gates, and a naval blockade by the shore.
"How the hell are we going to get in there?" Asha asked.
"I grew up in Thebes, I know every back entrance, every secret hole." Kyle answered, he smiled at her, "I will get us in there."
Asha nodded, her grip going to the sword that Argruis had given her. She still had her dagger's and bow on her too, "How are we going to-"
"Stop." Sophia growled, "We will be fine. Qwick will be anchored in the secret cave."
"Secret cave?" Asha asked.
"Just below that cliff," Kyle gestured to the left of the blockade to a tall steeping cliff that fell into the sea. The water around it was calm, but sharp rocks jutted out, "We will traverse that, and inside there is a huge cave. Where a secret door is."
"Secret door, right." Asha nodded.
Kyle smiled softly, "It will be fine. The fog will conceal us, and once we get into the cave we can go through the door. The passage leads all the way up into the castle."
"And then we can get the Royalty out." Asha stated.
"Most of them. I'm sure the King and his son's will be on the battlefield, that's were you come in. You and I are going to head to the battle, join in. I will talk to the King of Thebes whilst you try and convince Diomede's to stop."
"Which he won't." Sophia muttered, "So I will be behind you two in case the plan doesn't work. And Argruis will be evacuating the royals inside the castle to the ship."
"Okay." Asha nodded, "Then to the cave?"
Kyle nodded, shifting the steering oar and Qwick moved towards the dangerous rocks. Quickly manoeuvring between them, covering her eyes from the rising sun Asha quickly found the cave. It laid inside the cliff and was concealed by the darkness.
Kyle moved the ship as if he had traversed this path before, easily sailing into the cave's mouth and anchoring quickly.
Asha looked down, finding a small dock which Sophia leapt down onto, tying the ship off.
"Come on." She called out. Asha shrugged leaping down too, closely followed by the two men.
They jogged up the slippery black rocks and over to a wooden door. Asha tried the handle and growled, it was locked.
"Excuse me." Kyle muttered, gesturing for Asha to step aside. He pulled out a golden key from around his neck, placing it into the keyhole he unlocked the door. Opening it he went first, with Asha following behind closely.
"Careful, it's not lit up." Kyle said, his voice echoing against the stone walls. Asha squinted barely able to see him from the limited natural light coming from the cave below. She stumbled forwards, almost tripping over several times.
When they reached the top of the passage Kyle reached forwards, opening the stone door with a push. Light emitted into the passage and Asha gazed around in wonder at the marble floors, rich curtained windows and soft carpets all around her, a huge double bed stood in the middle of the room, it's sheets grey with dust.
"Who's room is this?" Asha asked, but no one answered, instead Kyle gave her a pained look and walked out of the room.
They followed walking down an empty corridor. The whole castle was deathly quiet.
"Argruis. You remember where I told you to go?" Kyle said to the old warrior, who nodded and trotted off in a different direction, Kyle then turned to Sophia and Asha, "We are going to have to head to th-" He broke off when something slammed into the side of the castle, "They can't have!" He cried out, running to a window he looked out. Asha looked out of another window, eyes widening in horror.
A huge army was besieging the city, the tall gates had been broken in and catapults rained stone missiles down upon the defending army. Outside of the gates a group of horsemen stood around a golden chariot, with footsoldiers advancing into the city.
"The chariot, that's Diomede's." Kyle stated, he then pointed to the defending army, where a tall man stood in golden armour, the King of Thebes, "We need to get there."
"Ok." Asha stated, she grabbed her sword and smashed the window out, leaping onto the ledge, "Let's go." She started to go down. Kyle gave her an incredulous look but followed.
"You know if we fall, we die." Sophia muttered, climbing down after them.
"Then don't fall." Asha stated, grinning up at her friend.
They reached the bottom of the wall and started to run towards the King, Kyle led quickly.
"Kyle look!" Sophia cried out, grabbing his arm.
Diomede's horsemen had advance into the city, and the Prince himself was fighting the King of Thebes. Both armies gathered around, watching the battle whilst fighting each other.
The three pushed through the ranks and watched in horror as Diomede's quickly disarmed the King.
Asha studied both men carefully, The King of Thebe's was old, he had greying hair, but his shoulders were stout and he held himself with pride, holding the gleaming golden sword in his hands like a veteran of war. Diomede's was like a god. His dark brown hair streaked with gold, body clad in silver armour that depicted a huge boar. Arm's strong. He held his longsword against the King's neck, face covered with a helmet looking down without mercy.
"Cry out like your sons did, King." Diomede's spat out, "And know that once I kill you, I will be after your daughter's."
"You rotten pig." Kyle growled out, pushing through the Thebian's, "You haven't killed all of his sons yet."
"My son." The King of Thebe's whispered out.
The two armies moved uncertainly. Asha stared with wonder at Kyle.
He raised his rapier, "Fight me."
Diomede's stared at him, then threw his head back and laughed, "You! Your a son of this stupid king?!"
"Yes!" Kyle growled out, "My name is Kyle, son of The Great King of Thebe's."
Diomede's shook his head, "I will not fight a boy." Then he pulled back his arm, bringing his sword down upon the throat of the King. Kyle cried out, advancing towards the Prince, but his guards stopped him with their swords.
"My sword will not be tainted by weakling's blood." Diomede's growled, wiping his sword again the King's robes.
Kyle gave a shout of pure rage, advancing upon the enemy. Sophia shrugged past Asha, grabbing Kyle's arm.
"Stop it. He's under Athena's protection!"
Diomede's looked up at the newcomer, "Woman, your place is not on a battlefield."
Sophia ignored him, pulling Kyle away.
"But it is mine." Asha called out, walking towards her friends she met Diomede's blue eyes and held them, "As you are under the protection of a Goddess, so am I."
Diomede's blinked, walking towards Asha he cocked his head, looking her up and down, "And who's protection are you under?"
"The Queen of the Gods herself. Hera." Asha stated, taking steps towards him herself and unsheathing her sword, she held it up towards him, "And since both goddess's cannot intervene, let's fight as equals."
Diomede's gave a chuckle, "You shall never be my equal, woman."
"Says the man under a woman's protection." Asha ground out, getting annoyed at his audacity.
"Under a goddess's protection. I will never be under a woman," He gave her a slithering look, "Only above."
Asha almost spat out in disgust, "Your horrid."
"It doesn't matter." He stated, turning his back on her, "Men, take her."
His personal guard gave out war cries., dismounting from their horses they advanced upon her. Asha gritted her teeth, remembering her training and waiting for them to come to her. She ducked the first ones swipe and cut under his armpit.
Blood flowed out of the wound like a dam opening and he fell onto his face in agony. Asha narrowed her eyes at the rest of the enemy, grabbing the injured one by his hair.
She placed her sword against his neck, "One more move and he's dead."
Diomede's glared at her, turning back around he unsheathed his sword and advanced upon her, "You really want to die, don't you?!"
Asha shrugged, not answering, she watched as he swiped at her head, the beautiful silver sword moving in slow motion. She hefted up her human shield and watched in silent fascination as the sword passed through his throat. She dropped him, blood splatted all over her face.
Asha cocked her head at Diomede's, "Look what you did."
He glared at her, "When I have you on the ground whimpering beneath me, I will ask you the same question."
"Try." She ground out. Rolling forwards Asha swiped at his legs, barely missing them. She fell out of the roll, moving to the side quickly as his sword reached for her. Quickly she parried his blow, punching out at him but her fist hit his helm. She grumbled at the pain, shaking the hand.
He laughed in mockery, shifting his hold on his sword he swiped at her stomach. Asha back-flipped, kicking him in the jaw, the helmet falling off from the impact.
Diomede's faltered for a moment, hand rubbing his jaw, blooding seeping out of his cracked lip, he was handsome enough. But it didn't stop Asha from trying to cut his throat. He parried the blow and their swords crossed together, face's pressed close together.
Asha glared into his cold blue eyes, pulling out of the lethal embrace, "Yield before I make you kneel." She almost hummed at her poetry.
"Your strong for a girl." He laughed out, "But not strong enough." He continued the attack, sword flying at her faster than anything she had ever seen.
Barely blocking the first two swipes Asha was knocked to the ground, Diomede's sword pressed against her throat. She challenged him with her eyes, "Go ahead, another dead person to add to your list."
He stared at her, confused that she was not begging for her life, "What do you mean?"
"Look around you. Is this really worth it all?" Asha gestured around, her head banging with adrenaline. She placed her hand into her hair, which had come loose from the fight, "War, death, hate. Why? Because someone insulted a person you never knew? Look around you! Are you the only person here!"
Asha cocked her head as she watched him listen to her, surprised that he hadn't killed her yet.
Diomede's was in wonder, this beautiful girl in front of him was saying the exact same words as Athena had said to him, he gazed down into stubborn eyes, eyes that held such depth that he had never seen before, "Are you the goddess?"
Asha blinked, "No." She looked over to the battlefield, where the two armies fought, Kyle and Sophia were trying to cut through to her. She swallowed heavily as the steel of his sword cut into her throat, blood seeped from the wound.
Diomede's stared at the blood, then at the elegant neck which it sprouted from. Sthenelus, his old friend, broke him out of his trance.
His old friend said, "Why not take her as a war trophy."
Diomede's looked to him, then back at the girl, "Get up."
Asha glared at him, but followed the order, slowly standing up she squared her shoulders at him. She rubbed her neck, her hand coming away red with blood, it wasn't life threatening.
Diomede's looked over to Sthenelus, "Call the army back. We will take the city tomorrow."
"But what about-"
Diomede's cut him off, staring at Asha, "I have something to play with for now."
Asha growled, "If you touch me-"
"You can't do anything." He snapped at her, sheathing his sword he grabbed Asha by the neck, "Tonight you will be my plaything." He let her go, only to grasp her hair.
Asha cried out as he pulled her over to the golden chariot, "You basted!"
Diomede's didn't say anything, instead his henchman whipped the horses into a gallop and they headed towards the camp.
Asha was thrown onto the ground, her head slamming against the hard dirt floor. The fall was cushioned somewhat by a blue carpet and a couple of pillows. She groaned rubbing her neck and looking up in challenge at Diomede's.
"Don't you dare!" She growled out, struggling to get back up on her feet. But the warrior grabbed her by her hair again, pushing her down onto the ground.
He let go, only to start undressing. The cuirass he wore shone in the dim light as he shrugged it off. His heavily muscled torso gleaming with sweat from the battle, he laughed at her horrified expression.
"It's always fun when I take a virgin." He grinned at her, hands moving to strip the rest of his clothing off.
But Asha leapt up, trying to run out, he caught her easily by the waist, pushing her to the ground beneath him.
She stared mortified at the dirt ground, wiggling and trying to escape from him. But his body pressed her down.
Diomede's hands crept along her legs and she gave out a cry of horror.
"Let me go!" She screamed as his hands caught the hem of her dress, pulling it up.
His other hand snaked around to grab one of her breast's, giving it a squeeze. Asha bucked in terror, managing to reverse their positions, so that she was on top of him. He gave a soft growl, one hand gripping her butt.
"Your a rowdy one. But remember, the master is on top." He leant forwards to catch her lips, forcefully forcing himself at her.
Asha narrowed her eyes, biting down on his tongue, drawing blood. He released her in shock, and she leapt to freedom.
Without looking back she ran from the tent, sprinting as fast as she could manage towards the city. She heard Diomede's shouting for his men to catch her, heard horse's gallop after her, but also saw horse's running towards her. Kyle was at the front and the horse he was on churned up the ground.
He reached out his hand to her, Asha took it, leaping onto the back of the horse and burying her face into his back. They raced back to the castle, where Sophia cried out in joy and embraced her.
"I thought you were a goner!" She mumbled into Asha.
"I shouldn't have been so stupid!" Asha growled out.
There was a clattering of hooves and Diomede's personal guard came through the gates. Asha narrowed her eyes, standing beside Sophia.
The King Killer trotted forwards on a brown horse, glaring at Asha, eyes wild.
"I'm guessing he almost got you." Sophia whispered.
Asha nodded, happy to be beside her friend, Sophia gave a curse and rubbed her arm, "He won't touch you again."
"He looks determined to." Asha muttered, eyes meeting Diomede's. She quickly looked away.
"Give her to me, or I can't guarantee any of you surviving." Diomede's called out, "I have unfinished business with her."
Kyle laughed, "Business she wants nothing to do with." He withdrew his rapier and pointed it at Diomede's, "You come any closer and I will slit your throat, I don't care if your under some goddess's protection."
Diomede's glared at him, then at Asha, "Tomorrow, I will finish what I started."
Then he turned away, his follower's galloping after him.
Asha shook herself, knowing that they were leaving tonight, and that she shouldn't worry about his words, "Have you evacuated the royals yet."
"The only one's alive are Princess Andromache and Kyle." Sophia stated, "Asha-"
But she shook her head, "We need to evacuate everyone we can."
"Asha. You need to talk to Hera." Kyle stated, walking up to stand beside them.
"Where is the closest temple?" She asked, tear's starting to brim in the corner's of her eyes.
"Just outside the city." Argruis answered, walking in from the castle, "I will take you there."
"Then lets go?" She cocked her head.
Argruis shook his head, "Diomede's has scouts everywhere, the moment we leave, he will come after us."
"He can't hurt us in the temple."
"A good point. Kyle, ready two horses." Argruis ordered his colleague.
The horses were quickly readied and they mounted them.
"Get everyone ready to leave in an hour, if we aren't back by then, leave." Argruis stated, Kyle started to argue back but the old warrior held up a hand, "Don't wait for us, and may the Moon be with you."
Asha nodded to her friends, kicking her horse into a gallop she followed Argruis towards the gate. Thebian's guarded it and nodded to them as they passed through.
Asha quickly spotted scouts, which called out alarms to the main Achaean camp. She looked away quickly, finding the temple in the distance, "We need to go faster!" Asha called to her friend.
The old warrior didn't answer, instead he whispered something under his breath and the horses gained in speed. The temple advanced upon them at speed.
They ducked their heads as they passed into the temple.
Asha dismounted quickly and knelt at the Goddess's statue, "I pray to you!" She called out, but nothing happened.
"Why isn't it working?" Asha asked Argruis, turning around and finding his wide eyes. Behind him stood Diomede's. His sword was dripping blood through Argruis' chest.
"Because my Goddess is distracting her." He stated, pulling the sword free.
Asha grabbed her bow, quickly stringing it, she pulled the string to her chest, "Why?!" She cried, then she released the string, the arrow flew at him, only to fly off an invisible barrier.
He advanced towards her as she wasted arrow's upon him. When he was close enough Asha unsheathed her daggers, swinging at him. Only to have him catch her wrists and press her against Hera's marble statue.
"Now where did we leave off?" Diomede's asked, breath tickling her cheek.
"By the Moon, help her!" Argruis cried out, he had slumped onto the ground, but his hands had wrapped around the pendant he always wore.
A silver light emitted from it, then burst out like flames.
Diomede's gave a growled, shoving Asha down and turning to look at the light.
Stop what you are doing, Child. A voice growled into their minds. From where Argruis laid a reptilian head rose, silver eyes glaring at them. The dragon materialised out of the silver light. It giant body breaking the temple's walls and ceilings. Marble fell down around them, crashing with huge reverberations.
It was like an earthquake, but Asha managed to get to her feet, "The Moon." She stated, eyes wide.
Diomede's stared at her, "What?"
Asha Stormgrey. Chosen One, you choose me as your saviour, why? The dragon asked.
She took in it's silver scales, the pure brilliance of the dragon, "Your goodness, I need to change something, and goodness is what I want to use to change that."
That answer, The dragon paused staring at her, Will have to do.
CLIFF HANGER.
I was very sketcy about writing this chapter, not sure if it is as good as I would like it to be...
Rape back then was a common occurrence during war, and peacetime. So I needed to integrate that scene in. (I know it's not the whole thing, but-)
Btw, the dragon is a male.
See ya again soon!
SB7 Reporting Out!